NORTH MALUKU: NONE INJURED BY THREE BOMBS LINKED TO

UNCLAS SURABAYA 000127 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, INR/EAP, E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ID KISL PTER PHUM SUBJECT: NORTH MALUKU: NONE INJURED BY THREE BOMBS LINKED TO PROTRACTED ELECTION DISPUTE REF: 07 SURABAYA 59 (North Maluku Election Violence) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Indonesia's official news agency reported that there were no injuries from "low-magnitude explosions" at three locations in North Maluku's provincial capital Ternate early in the morning of November 3. The blasts hit the North Maluku Governor's residence, the North Maluku regional government Office and the North Maluku Regional Legislative Assembly (DPRD). Given the targets of the blasts and a demonstration against the incumbent governor only hours later, the bombings are likely the work of supporters of the defeated governor's candidate. Hundreds of supporters of Abdul Gafur and his running mate Fabanyo later clashed with police when they tried to storm the offices of North Maluku's Governor. Demonstrators demanded President Yudhoyono rescind his decree installing Thaib Armayn and Vice Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba. End Summary ¶2. (SBU) Local press reported that the first explosion damaged one side of North Maluku Governor Thaib Armaiyn's official residence. Five minutes later, a second explosion destroyed the ceiling of the Financial Bureau of the North Maluku Governor's Office. The third blast hit the Provincial Parliament (DPRD) building, shattering glass windows in the guard post outside. There were no reports of injuries. Two Congen Surabaya contacts in Ternate confirmed the location and timing of the blasts and estimated that the bombs could be heard over 3 kilometers away. North Maluku police have cordoned off the sites of the explosions and closed the road near Governor's residence. North Maluku's Police Chief Brig. Gen. Mustafa told local press that his officers found a fourth bomb at the Governor's residence that failed to detonate. Bomb Squad Unit Chief Asst. Inspector Adi Sangaji confirmed to Congen Surabaya the general impression that the bombs are unrelated to the anticipated execution of the Bali bombers. Inspector Sangaji reiterated that the bombs were likely set by people dissatisfied over the national government's installation of the current Governor. ¶3. (SBU) Demonstrations against the installation of the current governor erupted again in Ternate at 11:00 AM local time, just seven hours after the explosions. The situation in North Maluku remains tense, as supporters burned the party flag of President Yudhoyono's party, Partai Demokrat, and threatened to continue demonstrations throughout the day. This is the latest violence in nearly a year of strife over the disputed outcome of the November 2007 governor's election (Ref A). Incumbents Thaib Armayn and Abdul Gani Kasuba were officially installed as Governor and Vice Governor on September 29, 2008. Minister of Home Affairs Mardiyanto reinstalled the incumbents nearly a year after a contentious election marred by sporadic violent protests. Only 14 of 35 local members of parliament attended the inauguration and supporters of the defeated candidates Abdul Gafur and Abdurahim Fabanyo quickly took to the streets again in protest. MCCLELLAND